Some City Workers Near Pact

Uniformed Workers Not Close

January 06, 1993|by MATT ASSAD, The Morning Call

While Easton's non-uniformed workers today prepare to vote on a contract that could end months of controversy, police and fire department negotiators say their demands are so far apart from city offers they may be headed for arbitration.

With the city asking for concessions, as it did last week from its non-uniformed workers, union members said yesterday that they may be better off taking their chances on binding arbitration.

"As far as I'm concerned we're going to arbitration Feb. 3," said Anthony Cappellano, president of the Fraternal Order of Police. "The city hasn't responded in weeks. They aren't talking to us."

"We haven't negotiated in probably a month and the sides are still far apart," said Joe Piro, President of the International Association of Firefighters Local 713. "We've filed for arbitration, but I'm still hoping we can come to some agreement before it gets to that point."

City negotiator Stu Gallagher, Easton's assistant business administrator, said there is still time to settle contracts with both unions, but admitted it's unlikely because the city is asking for concessions.

"There isn't as much incentive for the union to settle at this point because we are talking about concessions," Gallagher said. "The unions may have taken the stance that if they are going to have to give something back, an arbitrator's going to have to order it."

Unlike the city's 123 non-uniformed workers, police and fire union members do not have the option to strike, so an arbitration process is necessary to settle unresolved contracts with civil servants.

Police and fire workers since Jan. 1 have been working under last year's contract and will continue to do so until a new contract is reached through negotiations or arbitration.

If an impasse occurs, a three-member arbitration board is appointed -- one by the union, one by the city and one agreed on by both. The board is then presented with a contract proposal from the union, and a separate one from the city.

The arbitration board then has 30 days from the arbitration date to determine a contract.

"Once it gets to that point it's like rolling the dice because the decision is binding; everyone has to accept it for better or worse," said Councilman Burns Bamford, who directs the Department of Public Safety. "I hope it never gets to that point."

Both police and fire unions, citing impasses with the city, have filed for arbitration. Police arbitration was due to begin Feb. 3, but has been postponed because arbitrators have a scheduling conflict, Gallagher said. It will likely be rescheduled for mid-February, he said. An arbitration date for firefighters has yet to be set.

To this point the police and fire negotiations have taken a backseat to controversial talks between the city and non-uniformed workers. The city and negotiators from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 447 agreed on a tentative contract that included layoffs of six workers and an 18-month wage freeze, but the union last week rejected the pact 92-7.

A second tentative agreement was reached Monday. That is scheduled to be voted on today by the union at the city's 500 Bushkill Drive garage. Local 447 and city negotiators have met several times over the past month, forcing the city to delay police and fire contract talks until the non-uniformed workers contract is settled.

"We have not ruled out new negotiations with the police and fire unions, we just haven't had time lately because of all the other year-end activities," Gallagher said. "We hope to get back at the table with both unions by next week."